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Triumph Latest European Manufacturer to Form Joint Venture With Indian Concern

Yesterday, Triumph Motorcycles UK and Bajaj Auto India announced a “global partnership” to develop “mid-capacity” motorcycles drawing on the strengths of both entities.

Other European motorcycle manufactures have established joint ventures with Indian manufacturers. India itself represents a massive market for two-wheelers, and manufacturing costs in that country have proven attractive. We don’t have any additional details at this point, but you can take a look at the official press release signed by senior executives Nick Bloor of Triumph and Rajiv Bajaj for Bajaj Auto.

23 Comments

Triumph possibly have a problem with people being happy with their current model and not interested in upgrading, especially as they keep on increasing the prices… already have a big factory in Thailand making Bonnevilles and the UK factory must be hugely profitable given the ruined state of Sterling.

Are they doing the Indian tie-up to get into the India market or to export cheap models everywhere, or both. There were stories about a new Tiger Cub a few years ago but be interesting to see if they can better the latest Honda CB500..

Amazing seeing Royal Enfields heading up into the Himalayas. I like Triumphs but their dealerships have been shrinking in the U.S., as have all other brands, though sales are up. Let’s see what they cook up in India.

Considering Bajaj owns a decent stake in KTM, this move should help them shore up the 500cc to 750cc market. Large motorcycle manufacturers here in India, have sucked the soul out off motorcyclists with their commuter and small displacement bikes in the name of sales. Its about time we got some more options like the rest of the biking world

Why doesn’t India and China do what the Japanese did. Most entry level bike are 5 thousand now. The Japanese brought in some cheap reliable entry level bike and took over sales in the US. Bikes are more complicated now but India maher some nice retro looking bikes.

The Bonneville has been a great seller to this point. I see a lot of them locally (Chicago) but I’m wondering if the design is getting too long in the tooth to be out there a whole lot longer. If I had Bajaj’s manufacturing capacity I would go at least one notch up and reboot the T-160V Trident design of the 1974-75 or even the Quadront they were working on prior to their collapse. Triumph could be in a tough spot when Royal Enfield finally releases the twin and Mahindra relaunches BSA.

Triumph 390 anyone!? Seems like a smart move given that Triumph doesn’t offer an entry level bike here in the states. My local KTM shop hasn’t had a 390 to check out this year because they were all spoken for, before they arrived.

Hard to say with any certainty this early in the game, but given that Bajaj makes a 390 for KTM, I would assume they would utilize what they already have production wise if KTM will allow it. I also think there’s gonna be a cutoff point where consumers say.. Indian made.. Okay for a small cheap bike.. not so sure I want something more complicated and powerful from there.